Elastic-fluid turbine.



R. H. RICE.

PATENTED JULY 24, 1906.

ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLICATION II'ILED JAN. 23, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Ill

Witnesses: l

Richard H. Rice,

' aqttiy.

" Inventor Not. 826,885. PATENTLED JULY 24, 1906. R. H. RICE. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE.

7 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v Inventor? Richard H. Rice, Eby MM Witnesses.

1 UNITED STATE MASSAGE UfSETTS, ASSIGNOR A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

s PATENT OFFICE.

T0,. GEN- ELASTIC-FLUlD TURBINE Application filed January 23,

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RroHAnb H. RICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex, State of Massa- 5 chusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elastic-Fluid Turbines, of which the following is a specification. The present invention relates to elasticfluid turbines, and has for its object to im- 1 prove their construction whereby the parts may be more easily and accurately alined in assembling and more readily taken down,

Other features of novelty will be more fully tbase portion 0 pointed out in the specification and the claims appended thereto. In the accompanying drawings, which 1 illustrate one of the embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation, with certain of the parts broken away, of a turbo- 2 generator of the vertical-shaft type? Fig. 2 is an axial section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

1 represents the base of the turbine, which is provided with an outlet 2 and a manhole Supported by the bottom wall of the base is a step-bearing 4, to which lubricant under pressure is supplied by the conduit 5'. The upper surfaceof the base is finished ofi true, and 3 mounted thereon is a 1 ring 6, having outwardly-extending flanges 7 and 8. The former isbolted to the base, while thelatter is arranged to receive the vertically-extending bolts which clampthe parts of the turbine casin together. By reason of the construction s own the nuts for the bolts or rods are accessible from .the outside of the machine, and it is unnecessary in assemblin or taking down the machine for work to be done inside 4 of the-base. Thebolts extending through the lower flange into the base may or may not be provided with nuts, as desired. I prefer to tap the upper surfaces of the base and .to tighten the bolts from the outside.

The casing of the turbine is divided into sections, each section being shouldered to receive the adjoining section above and below it. Each'section is like every other section both in shape and size. This means that the 5 cost of construction is reduced to a minimum and, further, that the number of stages can be increased or decreased at will. A machine of this ty e is particularly valuable for eX- 'perilnenta purposes where it is desired to Specification of Letterslatent.

the hub of the whee with two rows ot-buckets 27, secure Patented July 24, 1906. 1906." seen No. 297.396.

make exhaustive tests under different conditionsfor example, with various numbers of stages and diiferent character of nozzles or discharging devices and changed bucket shapes. At the upper end of the machine is a ring 9, which is similar in general construction/and shape to the rin 6. This ring is inverted with respect to tile lower ring-that is to say, the heavy flange 10 is opposed to the .heavy flange 8 and is arranged to receive the upper ends of the retaining-bolts 1 1.

The upper 11 e 12 is adapted'to receive the %the stool 13, supporting the electric generator 14. The generator is proided with a cover 15, carrying a dome 16, the latter inclosing a shaftovernor. A vertical shaft 17 is rovided t at is common to the wheels 18 o. the rotating member of the generator. The shaft is supported at the lower end by the step-bearing 4 at an intermediate-point above the turbine by the guide-bearing IQ-and at the upper end by a bearing (not shown) that is carried by the frame of the generator."

Referring to Fig. 2, the detail construction of the parts will be more fully described. With rings sta es is identical. Each comprises a section 20, aving a-cylindrical portion 21' and a diaphragm 22, formed integral therewith. The hub of the diaphragm is provided with a re cess to receive the pressure-seated 'packin 23, the latter resting on thewall at the bottom of the recess and en agingthe eri hery of 18. The 'aphragm is provided with one or more openin s 24, communicating with the nozzle 25. 7 he latter is bolted to the under side of the dia hragm and may be expanding or non-expan 'ng in char-v acter. Preferably the nozzle sections are closely associated, so as to deliver the fluid in the form of'a solid jet or column to the bucket wheels. As many bf, these nozzle-sections are provided as are desired, and the space between the nozzle-sections is connected by a ring-like structure 26,- located close to he edges of the wheel-buckets to reduce rotation losses. By preference the nozzles are made in a segment separate from the ring 26; but, if desired, they can be made in the same piece. The bucket-wheels are each rovided by any suitable means. While I have shown two rows the diflerent stagesand to So I the exception of the top and bottom 6 and 9 the construction of the different I of wheel-buckets per stage, it is stood thata eater number maybeemployed. adapted to receive or engage one of the re- I may emp oy two or more rows of wheelphragms .are

buckets in each of the high-pressure stages and one or more rows in each of the low-pressure stages, or the reverse. In this res eat the arrangement shown is exceedingly exible. When I desire to increase the number of rows ofwheel-buckets-per stage, the cylindrical portion 21 of a casing-section is lengthened, and since these casing-sections and diaso designed that the mold can be made with a sweep it is a simple matter to change the dimens ons and also to change the number of passages 24 leading to the nozzle. Where two or more rows of wheel-buckets are provided for each stage, it is necessary to provide intermediate or stationary buckets for.

reversin the direction of'steam or other motive flui in passingfrom one row of wheelbuckets to the other. In the present illustration 28 represents these intermediate buckets. In the u per or high pressure stages the extend on y partially around the whee as shown in Fig. 3 the balance of the space between the rows of wheel-buckets being filled with the blank wall or ring 29. The obj ect of this wall or ring is to decrease the rotati-on losses bypreventing or lar ely reducing the fan-like action of the hue ets. These blank walls are more im' ort'ant in thehighpressure stages than in t e low, because the rotation losses are greatest where the pressure and density of the motive fluid are high.

I may therefore omit the walls in some of the low-pressure stages, if desired. The intermediate buckets and the walls 29 are carried by a rin which is split in two or more segments. n the present construction the ring is split into two parts. The ring is seated in a groove 31, formed in the upper side of the diaphragm,'and is anchored by the bolts 32. The up er surface of the ring is provided at interva s with projections 33, to which the intermediate buckets 28 are bolted and also the blank ring 29. This arrangementof parts is of special advantage-in al-ining the nozzles, wheel, and intermediate buckets. Experi once has demonstrated that inaccuracies in alinement are not uncommon and that they result in more or less serious losses in efliciency, owing to-the fact that the steam or other elastic fluid discharged from one row of buckets does not freel enter the adjacent row of buckets, but stri es either the buckets or the covering, and the result is that moreor less'stearn isdiseharged throughthe clearances 6 5 tions, nozzles,

into the wheel-chamber, and-its effect so far as that particular stage is concerned is lost, although it 'is used in the "subsequent stages, with the exception of the last, where it enters the chamber in the base and ipasses to the condenser-or to atmosphere. n order to insure the proper angular relation of the casing, seci-ntermediate buckets, &c.,each

mounted in position.

place in thegrooves 31 on then gether.

taimng-bolts 11. When the machine is assembled, these projections are arranged one above the other.

With the arrangement described the following method of procedure is employed in assembling the parts. The base is first mounted in position and afterward the base-ring 6. Then the shaft and one of the wheels are The segmental ring or support 30, withits attached intermediates or intermediates and blank wall, is mounted in per side of the wall of the di a hragm. By ooking down through the hue ets or using proper measuring instruments the alinement can be accurately determined, and if the properly they can be remove and the necessary chan es made, such as putting shims between the intermediate buckets and the hold arts do not line to be under-l section is provided with a projection 34, I

in -,ring or turning off more or less metal.

ter the buckets have been mounted in place and properly alined the next casing-section is slipped over the shaft and the dropped in lace, and then a whee is mounted on the s aft and the same procedure-followed as above stated. After the 11 per ring a-cking 23 9 is slipped into place over the en s of the bolts 11 the nuts thereon are tightened to hold the various sections cf the casin to- The stool'for the generator and the generator are then mounted on the ring *9, that contains a wall or head for the upper of the turbine. Steam or other elastic fluid is admitted to the machine by the conduit 35.- The admission of motive fluid to the turbine and to the various stages may be controlled in any suitable manner. It will be noted.

are provided which communicate wit chamber 37 surrounding the wheehbuckets. This permits the leakage to freely enter the whee of motive fluid to the nozzles leading to the next stage.

In accordance that between the projections 33 passagcs 36 the with the provisions of the -chamber and flow with the main body patent statutes I have described the prin ciple of operation of my invention, together with the a paratus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to ratus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out b other means.

What I claim as new, and esire to secure by Letters Patent ef the United States, is

1. In an elaStic fiuid turbine of the multistage type, the combinationef a member =containing an exhaust-chamber, a ring, havin opposed flanges belted thereto, a secon flanged ring at the opposite "and ,of the turhave it understood that the appa bine, an intermediate casing-section between said rings, a diaphragm formed integral with said section, shoulders between the rings and the section, and a plurality of longitudinal r energy of the motive fluid b successive free-V of buckets for reversing the ,of the motive fluid, and a 1 5 bolts situated outside of the which pass through'the opposed flanges on the; rings for securing the rings and easingsection together. 2. In an elastic-fluid turbine, the combination of a casing made u of sections, the plane of division bein at rig t angles to th axis,.a diaphragm for 'viding the casingilrto Wheelcompartments, wheels for the compartments having rowsof bucketsfor abstracting the tions, intermediate buckets etween the rows sup ort for the intermediate buckets carried v the diaphragm on the exhaust side of the wheel so that they can be alined with the wheel-,

buckets before the inclosing casing is mount ed in lace. v I j 3. n a multistage turbine, the combination of a casing comprising a plurality of sections arran e to be mounted in, place one after the ot er, the plane of division being at right anglesto the wheel-shaft, wheels for the sections, rows of buckets on-the wheels for abstracting the energy of the motive fluid by g\ successive fractions, intermediate buckets sion, devices discharging buckets, and supports for reversing the direction of flow of the motive fluid between wheel-buckets, diaphragm supported by the casing-sections for separating the wheels and forming stages of expanor the intermediate buckets of each stage. that are supported by the diaphragms on the low-pressure sides of the wheels so that they can be successivelyhlined and the turbine assembled by alternately mounting the wheels and casing-sections in place.

4. In a turbine, the combination of a oas ing arranged in sections, a diaphra m be,

tween sections, a Wheel having rows buckets for abstracting the energy of the motive fluid by successive fractions, intermediate buckets between the rows of wheel-buckets for reversing the direction of the motive fluid,

and ,a'support for the intermediate buckets which is mounted on a diaphragm and ex tends longitudinally of the turbine-axis to permit alinement, of the intermediate and wheel buckets before one of the tions is mounted in place. 7 I

5. In a turbine, the combination of a casing arranged in sections, a diaphragm between sections, a Wheel having rows of buckets for abstracting the energy of the motive fluid by successive fractions, intermediate buckets between the rows of wheel-buckets for reversing the direction of the motive fluid a blank wall "located between the wheelbuckets in the space not occupied by the intermediate buckets to reduce rotation losses, and a support common to the-intermediates and the. walls'whi'ch is mounted on a dia-' phragm and extends longitudinall'y'of the c asing section ing rows of buckets inte direction of flow motive fluid to the casing-secj .nicating with theywheel-c 'amber through which motive fluid leakin from, the clearances is free to pass to a w eel-chamber. I

7.- In a multistage turbine, the combina I tion of a casing made in sections, a diaphragm cooperating with the sectionsto form wheel chambers, wheels for the com artments having'rows of buckets, intermediate buckets between -the rows of wheel-buckets, a blank wall located between the wheel-buckets in the space not occupied by the intermediate buckets to reduce rotation losses, a ring mounted on the diaphragm, projections on the ring to which the intermediate buckets and the wall are secured, and passages between the projections communicating with a wheel-chamber to discharge leakage from the clearances thereto. a

8. In a multistage turbine, the combinar I tion of a casing made in sections,a diaphragm cooperating with the sections to form Wheelchambers, wheels for the com artments having rows of buckets, intermedlate buckets between the rows of wheel-buckets, a blank wall located between the wheel-buckets in the space not occupied by the intermediate bucketsto reduce rotation losses, a nozzle having passages-arran ed to discharge motive fluid against aportion only of thewheelbuckets, a'blank wall forming a continuation. of the nozzle and covering the idle-wheel buckets and situated between the wheelbuckets and in line with the nozzle, 2. blank wall situated between the rows of idle-wheel buckets. and in line with the first-mentioned wall to further-decrease. the rotation losses,

and a means for supporting the intermediate buckets and their adjacent blank wall from a diaphragm on the low-pressure side of the wheel to permit alinernent of the buckets before a casing-section is mounted in place;

9. .In an elastic-fluid turbine, thecombina- .tion of a wheel, rows of buckets on the wheel,

a casing for the-wheel comprising a surrounding wall, a wall on the high-pressure side, and a wall on the low-pressure side of the wheel, a

nozzle located on the high-pressure side of the wheel, intermediate buckets between the intermediate buckets which is carried by the" rows of wheel-buckets, and a support for the wall on the lowepressure side, substantially as and for the'purpose described.

10. In an elastic-fluid turbine, the combi I nation of a wheel, rows of buckets on the wheel, a casing for the wheel com rising a surrounding wall, a wall on the high'pressure side, and a, Wall on the low-pressure side of the wheel, a nozzle carried by the wall on the high-pressure side of the wheel, a nozzle carried by the wall on the low-pressure side, intermediate buckets between the rows of wheel-buckets, a groove formed in the well on the low-pressure side of the -Wh6Gl,8, support mounted in the groove, a groove in the support to receive the base portion of the intermediate buckets, and means for attaching the buckets to. the support. I I

11. In a multistage turbine, the combina tion of a plurality of casing-sections, each comprisin a cyllndrlcal portlon and a diaphragm, t e sa1d sections being arranged to fit loosely one on the other, retaining-bolts thet extend longitudinally of the casing for In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 0 hand this 20th. day of J anua-ry, 19.06,

RICHARD RICE.

Witnesses J OHN A. MCMANUS, Jr., CHARLES K. TRIPP. 

